Have you ever been interested in learning how to draft your own garment patterns?
Are you frustrated by commercial patterns that just do not fit you?
If you can trace a line on paper, you can easily learn how to make a basic pattern that fits you exactly. This basic pattern is called a sloper, at least in the USA. From it, you can there make modifications for different styles.
I'm going to show you how easy it is. We'll start with a bodice sloper, which will be the base for blouses, tops, and the top part of dresses.
If you're interested, please join me on Saturday, April 9th, 2011. Several members of My Sewing Circle are going to draft with me. It's free, by the way!
Things to have on hand for the draft along:
I must warn you, I am big on using what's available, not necessarily in investing in expensive, industry-specific supplies.
Rulers:
As long as it's straight, ideally 24" or 60cm long. A shorter ruler can be used, I have done it with a 12"/30 cm ruler, it just makes it a tad more difficult.
Right Angle:
If you don't have a square, L ruler, or T ruler, you can use some inexpensive school drafting squares. That's what I use, and it only requires a little more patience.
Curved rulers:
If you don't have a set of french curves (I don't), you can either hand draw like I do, or if that sounds scary, use a flexible ruler. Any flexible items that will retain the shape and spring back to a straight can be used. Incidentally, those are also used in woodworking, architecture, and drawing fields.
Paper:
Any paper can be used. Ideally, big enough to cover half your front. Something 24"/60cm wide will work for most people. Paper can also be taped to make it larger. I've made patterns using old newspapers (and gotten my hands all black in the days when they bled), plain printer paper, brown grocery bags... Fancy is not needed, unless you want to buy patterning paper.
Paper preparation:
If you use paper that doesn't stay flat too well, set it flat somewhere, stack some books on it. You can even iron it lightly if needed.
Marking tools:
Have a couple of pencils ready and sharp, finer point allows for more precise drafting but it harder to see (if your eyesight is bad like mine). I also like to have fine markers to retrace once I'm happy with the pattern. Finally, I like a large marker to label the pieces.
Weights:
Anything heavy will work as long as:
The objects are small enough to fit on the pattern pieces without hindering your view and tracing.
The objects are stable (nothing that will roll off).
I also recommend nothing breakable, it's easy to accidentally elbow that candy dish right off the table.
I have used canned good, rocks (my husband collects fossils - we have tons of rocks in various shapes), bricks, large upholstery scissors, candles.
I also recommend a table or flat surface where you can spread out the paper and your tools.
I'm sure you all have all these round the house. Don't forget to raid the kids' school supplies LOL!
Please feel free to ask questions add insight, or make any comments.
Stay tuned for my next post: Measurements you'll need. Don't worry, only you need to know what they are ;).
Are you frustrated by commercial patterns that just do not fit you?
If you can trace a line on paper, you can easily learn how to make a basic pattern that fits you exactly. This basic pattern is called a sloper, at least in the USA. From it, you can there make modifications for different styles.
I'm going to show you how easy it is. We'll start with a bodice sloper, which will be the base for blouses, tops, and the top part of dresses.
If you're interested, please join me on Saturday, April 9th, 2011. Several members of My Sewing Circle are going to draft with me. It's free, by the way!
Things to have on hand for the draft along:
I must warn you, I am big on using what's available, not necessarily in investing in expensive, industry-specific supplies.
Rulers:
As long as it's straight, ideally 24" or 60cm long. A shorter ruler can be used, I have done it with a 12"/30 cm ruler, it just makes it a tad more difficult.
Right Angle:
If you don't have a square, L ruler, or T ruler, you can use some inexpensive school drafting squares. That's what I use, and it only requires a little more patience.
Curved rulers:
If you don't have a set of french curves (I don't), you can either hand draw like I do, or if that sounds scary, use a flexible ruler. Any flexible items that will retain the shape and spring back to a straight can be used. Incidentally, those are also used in woodworking, architecture, and drawing fields.
Paper:
Any paper can be used. Ideally, big enough to cover half your front. Something 24"/60cm wide will work for most people. Paper can also be taped to make it larger. I've made patterns using old newspapers (and gotten my hands all black in the days when they bled), plain printer paper, brown grocery bags... Fancy is not needed, unless you want to buy patterning paper.
Paper preparation:
If you use paper that doesn't stay flat too well, set it flat somewhere, stack some books on it. You can even iron it lightly if needed.
Marking tools:
Have a couple of pencils ready and sharp, finer point allows for more precise drafting but it harder to see (if your eyesight is bad like mine). I also like to have fine markers to retrace once I'm happy with the pattern. Finally, I like a large marker to label the pieces.
Weights:
Anything heavy will work as long as:
The objects are small enough to fit on the pattern pieces without hindering your view and tracing.
The objects are stable (nothing that will roll off).
I also recommend nothing breakable, it's easy to accidentally elbow that candy dish right off the table.
I have used canned good, rocks (my husband collects fossils - we have tons of rocks in various shapes), bricks, large upholstery scissors, candles.
I also recommend a table or flat surface where you can spread out the paper and your tools.
I'm sure you all have all these round the house. Don't forget to raid the kids' school supplies LOL!
Please feel free to ask questions add insight, or make any comments.
Stay tuned for my next post: Measurements you'll need. Don't worry, only you need to know what they are ;).
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